“So romantic,” Paige sniffed as she pretended to cry.
“Xander!” Stella darted off the couch and flew at him and he swung her up into his arms. “You came back! I knew you would ’cause I asked Santa. And I wished really really hard. I told you, Calliope!” She locked her arms around his neck and squeezed. “I told you wishes still come true.”
“Yes, you did.” Calliope’s throat ached.
“We should take that as our cue. Charlie?” Holly ushered everyone, including the bride, and Stella, out of the room. “Take your time. But the wedding will start in five minutes. Not to rush you.”
“Abby.” Calliope caught her friend’s hand. “Thank you.”
“What’s family for? Don’t mess this up again.” She poked Xander in the chest before she grabbed handfuls of her dress and exited the suite.
“What are you doing here?”
“For a woman who has all the answers, I’m surprised you don’t know. I got your messenger.” He inched closer. The sight of him, the feel of him, slid through her and erased all doubts. All fears. All worry. She stepped toward him.
“What messenger? I didn’t send... Stella. She’s been spending hours with the butterflies. She must have...oh!” Xander’s arm slipped around her waist and he pulled her to him. Kissed her. “You’re here.” She blinked back tears when he eased away. “You really came back.”
“Yeah, well, I forgot to do something before I left.”
“Like submit your design proposal?” She arched an eyebrow.
“Ah, that, too. I never told you I loved you. And I do. Love you. Calliope Jones, you wondrous, magical creature, I love you and will love you forever.”
“I never thought I’d hear such words,” she whispered, holding him tight. “We have so much to talk about. If—if you’re staying?”
“Oh, I’m staying. If you’ll have me.”
All the closed-off places in her heart burst open. The colors in her world went brighter. The air in her chest felt lighter. And the loneliness she’d felt all these years of her life evaporated beneath his loving gaze.
“It’s a good thing, since you have a contract to sign. Gil wants your sanctuary. You won the contract.” She couldn’t stop looking at him. Couldn’t stop touching him.
“As great news as that is, I honestly don’t care right now. We have a wedding to attend.” He kissed her again and stepped back to let her straighten her dress. He offered his arm. “May I escort you?”
“Yes, you may.” She reached up and brushed her fingers against his cheek. “For the rest of my life.”
EPILOGUE
Three months later...
“CALLIOPE! XANDER! THEY’RE HERE!” Stella squealed and raced out the door of the house, while Calliope felt unnaturally panicked.
She pressed her palms against her cheeks, tried to will away the warmth even as her chest fluttered. They’d been talking about Xander’s family visiting for months, a visit that had been timed purposely so that Xander’s father could celebrate his sixty-fifth birthday on the coast.
“You need to relax,” Xander swooped in behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Pulling her against him, he nuzzled her neck. “My parents already love you. It’s me they’re not so sure of anymore.”
“Liar,” she said with a laugh. She turned and linked her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly. As expected, the apprehension settled the moment her lips found his. A special kind of magic that never ceased to thrill and amaze her.
“I called Abby this morning,” Xander reassured her as he ran his hands down her back. “They’ve got the suite all set for my parents. My siblings can have either a room or a cabin. I’m guessing the Costas contingent will be taking over the majority of the Flutterby Inn for the foreseeable future.”
“Hey! You two going to play kissy-face in here all afternoon or come out and say hi?” Alethea ducked her head in long enough to roll her eyes. “Move it.”
Calliope brushed her lips over his again before she led him outside. The sunshine poured down on them and they watched the two rental cars pull up to the gate. Calliope let out a delighted laugh as the doors opened and Xander’s siblings, niece and now two nephews spilled out.